Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy has more competition now that the union's secretary-treasurer has joined the race to become its next National President.
Lana Payne announced her intentions on Facebook yesterday. Before being elected as secretary-treasurer in 2019, she was the Atlantic Regional Director.
Her statement read, "these past months have been difficult, but they have also given me a new sense of resolve about the future of our union and the kind of leadership we need to redress the hurt, rebuild trust, and build the hope and confidence we will need to take on the many fights ahead."
Cassidy joined the race after the National Executive endorsed Scott Doherty, the Executive Assistant to the National President.
In February, Cassidy said he believed he had the support of the union's rank and file.
He took issue with the endorsement of Doherty, although the union did not violate its constitution.
"Since I've been in a leadership role, I can not recall an election at the constitutional convention," he said. "The rank and file, leadership from local unions across the country, have to be the ones to decide."
Cassidy's experience on the union's executive dates back to 2008 when the union was known as the Canadian Auto Workers.
Former President Jerry Dias went on medical leave in February. Weeks later, he retired. The same day, Unifor said it was investigating a possible breach of ethics.
A week ago, the Toronto Police Service announced it had opened a criminal investigation after Dias received $50,000 from a COVID-19 rapid test supplier for promoting the product to employers.
WindsorNewsToday.ca has reached out to Cassidy for comment but was told by his assistant that he is currently in meetings in Toronto.
